John Wick franchise director and co-creator Chad Stahelski said he's willing to send Keanu Reeves' legendary assassin to space.
Speaking to ComicBook.com, Stahelski was asked about his interest in potentially helming Marvel Studios' Daredevil: Born Again series for Disney+ after losing out on the directing gig for the Blade reboot. In response, the John Wick director said he prefers the freedom he enjoys with the adventures of his unstoppable assassin over the creative constraints of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "As far as Daredevil goes, it's the same thing," Stahelski said. "It's like, I've just been let off the leash literally for nine years, doing whatever I want. And if I want John Wick to go to fucking space in [John Wick: Chapter 5], he'll go to fucking space."
While Stahelski's space comment was made in jest, the John Wick franchise constantly elevates the level of danger and excitement with each installment. Though the director at one point considered a different fate for Reeves' character during pre-production on John Wick: Chapter 3 -- Parabellum. "That was the original intent of number three to kill John Wick," Stahelski said. "That doesn't gel with some people."
The third installment ended with Continental Hotel owner Winston (Ian McShane) wounding John Wick, forcing him to join forces with the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne) to take down the High Table. According to Stahelski, John Wick: Chapter 4 will be a sequel and a conclusion to the franchise. "I think Chapter 4 is a good continuation of all three previous films, and it's got a bit of a conclusion to it, which is great," said Stahelski. "We introduce a ton of new characters that have a lot to say about John Wick from his past and from, obviously, present. I think it's brotherhood, it's hope. It's what the life would really be like as a bit of an existential crisis with John, and I think that's the fun part of the movie."
Beyond John Wick: Chapter 4, the franchise will be expanding very soon. A spinoff project called Ballerina was recently announced and has already tapped Underworld's Len Wiseman to direct and Ana de Armas for the leading role. Additionally, a television series for Starz called The Continential will serve as a prequel to the films, following Colin Woodell as a younger version of Winston.
Directed by Stahelski from a screenplay by Shay Hatten and Michael Finch, John Wick: Chapter 4 hits theaters on March 24, 2023.
Source: ComicBook.com